Target Beauty

How gorgeous is this limited edition brush set from Sonia Kashuk for Target?

Just for the holidays! The Sonia Kashuk limited edition brush set at Target.

Just in time for the holidays, Sonia Kashuk has a limited edition gold-toned 10 piece cosmetic brush set I believe is a must have for the beauty obsessed person on your gift list—especially if that person is you. Throughout my years of beauty obsession, I’ve used all kinds of brushes from cheap E.L.F ones to MAC to more expensive brushes. While some brushes have fallen apart completely, gotten their ferrule loosened with vigorous use, or shed more hair than a cheap shag carpet, my Sonia Kashuk brushes have always performed on point. To have the most essential brushes in a snazzy looking set is a beauty nerd’s dream. So did it live up to it? Read on…

This is a standard domed powder brush that can be used for everything from loose and pressed face powder, to highlighter powder to blush if you are so inclined. Because of its shape it allows you to apply powder to the face with a light touch. This one is comparable to the large Sephora Airbrush pro brush.

Powder Brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(2) Flat-Top Blusher Brush

As described, this is a flat-top blusher brush that, in my opinion, will lay down blush more intensely than a rounded brush. Now the package labeling says this is a blusher brush and you certainly can use it that way, but my preference for this to use it to apply powder to set foundation. I own a Sonia Kashuk flat-top brush that I use to blend powder into my face after my NARS tinted moisturizer has dried down. This is my second-favorite brush in the set due to its versatility. If you want an intense layer of powder this brush gets the job done quickly.

Flat Top Brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(3) Angled duo-fiber Face Brush

I am a big fan of duo-fiber brushes for cream blushes and liquid foundations. Even more so of this brush as it is cut at an angle and resembles the much more expensive Dior face brush (which retails for close to $50). The duo-fiber is best suited for the more modern blends of foundation, and I find the slant allows for a more precise application and blending.

Angled Duo-fiber brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(4) Foundation Brush

This is your standard flat foundation brush with rounded edges that are slightly graduated. This type of brush is the one I use to initially apply foundation to my face and pat it around areas such as my nose and to initially cover the dark circles under my eyes. Not much difference between this brush and my MAC foundation brush.

Flat Foundation Brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(5) Eye Shadow Brush

This eye shadow brush is a bit too large and fluffy to appeal to me but for a beauty beginner it provides a quick way to shade an entire eyelid in one stroke. I wish the bristles were more compact.

Eye Shadow Brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(6) Blending Brush

Now this brush is appropriately large and fluffy because you would use it to blend out your eye shadow look.. It is definitely a bit larger than my beloved MAC 239 brush for blending but is more like the MAC 217 brush.

Blending brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(7) Crease Brush

Let me say that as I have heavy-lidded eyes (like Penelope Cruz), this crease brush is too small for me personally. However, it is perfect for those with normal/smaller eyes compared to mine. This is the type of brush you would use to initially lay down shadow in the crease area of the eye before using a blending brush to blend.

Crease brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(8) Angled duo-fiber eye brush

I use a LOT of cream eye shadows so me and duo-fiber brushes are BFFs. The fact that this brush is angled makes for more precise laying down and smoothing out cream shadow. Of course it will work fine for powdered eye shadow.

Angled duo fiber Brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(9) Precision Eye Brush

This is a small pointed brush with tighter bristles that I like using to highlight the brow area and/tearduct area. It’s also great for putting that precise amount of

Precision eye Brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

(10) Lash/Brow Groomer

Standard lash/brow groomer. This is indispensable to me for brushimg my eyebrows up and separating my lashes when I’ve put on a little too much mascara.

Eye/Brow Groomer brush from the “All That Jazz” limited edition brush set by Sonia Kashuk for Target

Overall Impressions

The synthetic brushes are made in China of very soft synthetic fiber. All of the brushes felt very evenly balanced in my hand. Another plus for this set is that the raised gold pattern on the brushes assist with gripping the brush with better precision as compared to the smooth brushes I own. And from a purely tactile standpoint the coils around the ferrule and the raised pattern on the handle just feels good on my fingers while I use them. When it comes to usage, I’ve found the larger brushes (powder, foundation) are prone to shedding a few hairs. Given how economical this set is I’m willing to overlook it. I own an Urban Decay Good Karma foundation brush that I paid $25 and sheds something awful.

The Sonia Kasuk “All That Jazz” brush set retails for $34.99 USD. While I picked up my set at my local store, as of this writing Target is showing the set not available online for shipping but you can order online for pickup at the Target store location of your choice–subject to availability. And if you’ve got the Target RedCard you get 5% off of your purchase and free shipping to boot!

As a woman, lip balms are my friend. As a woman of color, lip balms are my BFF. But lip balms plus color? W00t!!!

Thanks to a tip-off by The Muse, I dropped into my local Target like a Navy Seal to find these beauties. Check out the color lineup I grabbed!

Revlon Lip Butter goodness awaits in the Beauty section at Target!

In December during one of my Target runs I made the wonderful discovery of Revlon’s Color Stay Lip Butters and my life hasn‘t been the same since. These butters are so smooth, so moisturizing and range from a hint of color you have to build up (like Gumdrop) to full on in your face almost-lipstick color (Lollipop). At around $6.45 at Target and $7.50 at Ulta and Drugstore.com, is it easy to collect quite a few at a frugal price point. I’ve had no performance issues with these and only Gumdrop (a pastel lilac) was a little faint and almost gave me Tyrone Biggums lips but by using just a little or layering it over a darker lip pencil made it work fine. The lighter colors still contain pigment that is translucent enough to give you a nice shine to your lips.

As a woman, lip balms are my friend. As a woman of color, lip balms are my BFF. But lip balms plus color? W00t!!!

Thanks to a tip-off by The Muse, I dropped into my local Target like a Navy Seal to find these beauties. Check out the color lineup!

The Display at Target beckons me to come closer...

These butters are so smooth, so moisturizing and range from a hint of color you have to build up (like Gumdrop) to full on in your face almost-lipstick color (Lollipop). At around $6.45 at Target and $7.50 at Ulta and Drugstore.com, is it easy to collect quite a few at a frugal price point. I’ve had no performance issues with these and only Gumdrop (a pastel lilac) was a little faint and almost gave me Tyrone Biggums lips but by using just a little or layering it over a darker lip pencil made it work fine.

I grabbed the most vibrant shades that appealed to me.

I believe there are at least ten (10) shades available and probably as many as fifteen (15) by now. I have seen a few new shades creeping into displays at Target and Ulta for Spring 2012 so be aware stock at one store may not be the same at another. Ulta is running a sale this week [1/9/12] where if you buy one Revlon product you can get a second for 50% off. Print out the $3.50 off $10 coupon from their site to rack up the savings.